Albany, N.Y. - The ACPHS Women's Basketball Team were back in action Sunday night for the first time since December 11th after dropping a close decision on the road against NHTI.

Their opponent this time around?  That very same Lynx squad.  The two teams picked up right as they left off over a month prior when NHTI squeaked out a 50-45 win.  

It was heated from the very start as both teams traded baskets to get the game started.  NHTI guard Yancey Harmon was feeling it early sinking three first quarter 3-pointers on her way to a 21 point performance for the Lynx (5-15 3PFG).  But ACPHS responded well as Clare Snell (Potsdam, NY/Parishville-Hopkinton) knocked down a couple of threes herself.  As the second quarter got going, the Panthers built themselves an 8-point cushion before an NHTI run gave them a 41-40 halftime lead.  

Both coaches adjusted defensively as the second half would come down to which team would get the most stops.  A quiet third quarter rediscovered its momentum in the fourth when both teams used their physicality to battle down the stretch.  Hope Walker (Lisbon, NY/Lisbon) had a couple of key plays that kept momentum in the Panthers favor.  Ultimately though, it was the Lynx' Arianna Maxwell who hit two big free throws after a handful of offensive rebounds to give NHTI a three point lead with under 10 seconds remaining.  Dida Slusarek (Sarasota, FL/Riverview) got the last look from three, a shot that looked bound for the bottom of the net but just rimmed off as the buzzer sounded, giving the opponent a 71-68 win.  

Four Panthers finished with double-doubles, led by Snell who finished with 23 to lead all scorers and 10 boards.  

ACPHS, already thinned out after Sophomore guard Madi Phillips was announced to be out for the season with a knee injury, looked up to the challenge during their return to the court after a month long hiatus.  Coach Lauren Stock will need that mentality from the players as the Panthers look to rebound on Thursday with a visit from Paul Smith's College.